Article-carrying carton



1967 c. L. CHAMPLIN 3,

Filed Feb. 23, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gum w i In! H! a zs 7 IVENTOR.

BY Wm, M, 6M 0M mag 4 Dec. 5, 1967 c. CHAMPLIN 3,356,283

ARTICLE-CARRYING CARTON Filed Feb. 25, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR United States Patent 3,356,283 ARTKCLECARRYING CARTON Charles L. Champlin, Rittman, Ohio, assignor to Packaging Corporation of America, Evanston, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 23, 1966, Ser. No. 529,334 3 Claims. (Cl. 229-40) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An article-carrying carton and blank therefor which is formed of foldable sheet material and is adapted to enclose the sides, bottoms, and tops of the accommodated articles, except for the closure caps thereof. The carton is adapted to assume a collapsed tubular condition suitable for storage or shipment in bulk. When set up, the carton is capable of side-loading and locking the accommodated articles in place by the use of high speed automatic equipment.

Background of the invention Packaging of beverages in paperboard cartons and in the quantities indicated have become increasingly more popular. Various cartons of this general type have heretofore been produced; however, because of certain design characteristics, they have been beset with one or more of the following shortcomings: (a) the carton does not provide adequate protection for the accommodated articles against breakage; (b) the carton is not readily susceptible to automatic, expeditious mechanical loading; (c) the carton does not protect the accommodated articles against dirt and other foreign matter and the beverage or contents of the articles against harmful light rays; (d) the carton is not self-locking and thus, requires adhesive, staples, tape or the like to retain the carton in a closed condition;'(e) the carton is of such shape and size that it does not provide adequate areas for printing and/or decorative indicia; and (f) the carton is readily susceptible to accidental opening.

Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a carton which is not possessed of any of the aforesaid shortcomings. It is a further object of this invention to provide a blank wherein there is a minimum of material waste when said blank is formed.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a blank which may be readily formed and set up with highspeed automatic equipment.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a carton which is capable of accommodating articles of varying size, shape and number.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings and appended claims.

Summary of invention In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, an article-carrying carton is provided, comprising a bottom panel subtending a plurality of articles arranged in side by side relation, a top panel substantially overlying said articles, and end walls foldably interconnecting corresponding sides of said top and bottom panels. Foldably second side closure sections are provided with complemental locking means which cooperate to retain said first, second, and third side closure sections in wall-forming relation.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference should be made to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one form of the improved blank.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 but showing the blank initially folded to form a collapsed tubular member.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are perspective views of the member shown in FIG. 2 set up and in successive stages of closing subsequent to the set-up member having been side-loaded.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the improved carton fully set up and loaded.

Description Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 6 an improved carton 10 is shown which in the illustrated embodiment is adapted to accommodate six beverage bottles 11 of conventional design arranged in two parallel rows A and B of three bottles each. The bottles in each row are disposed in aligned side by side relation. Each illustrated bottle has a narrow necked upper end 11a which is closed by a conventional crimped or screw type cap 12.

The carton 10 is formed from a blank 13 of paperboard, or some other suitable foldable inexpensive sheet material, seeFIG. 1. Folding scores and slits forming the blank 13 are applied by high speed automatic equipment well known in the packaging industry. Blank 13, as seen in FIG. 1 includes a bottom panel 14 of rectangular configuration, the size and shape of which depends upon the number and shape of the articles being accommodated, an end wall first section 15 foldably connected to one narrow side of panel 14, and an end wall panel 16 foldably connected to the opposite narrow side of panel 14. The upper edge of panel 16 is foldably connected to a rectangularly shaped top panel 17, which in the illustrated embodiment is narrower than the rectangular bottom panel 14. One narrow side of top panel 17 is connected to end wall panel 16, and the opposite narrow side of the top panel is foldably connected to an end wall second section 18. First and second sections 15 and 18, respectively, are of such dimensions that they will partially overlap one another, when the blank is set up, and form a second end wall which is similar in size and shape to end wall panel 16. Sections 15 and 18 are retained in overlapped condition by adhesive or staples. The sections are shown in partial overlapping condition in FIG. 2. The'blank, in FIG. 2, is shown in its initial folded condition wherein it forms a collapsed tubular configuration. The blank in the form of the collapsed tubular member is in condition for shipment to or storage by the customer. Foldably connected to the opposite elongated sides of the top panel 14 and extending laterally therefrom are first side closure sections 20. Each section 20 is of like construction and comprises an upper, or inner, segment 21 which extends downwardly and outwardly from the top panel, when the carton is set up. Foldably connected to the outer'edge of segment 21 is a lower, or outer, segment 22 which extends vertically downwardly in the set-up carton. Each segment 22 in the illustrated embodiment is provided'with a pair of longitudinally spaced female locking members 23. Each member 23 is provided with a plurality of tabs 23a, b and c which are weakly interconnected to one another. The outer peripheral portion of each tab is foldably connected to segment 22. Thus, when'pressure is exerted upon the tabs, they will separate from one another to form an opening. As shown, each female member 23 is disposed adjacent the foldline connection between segments 21 and 22.

Foldably connected to the opposite elongated sides of bottom panel 14 and extending laterally therefrom are second side closure sections 24, which are of like construction. Each section 24 extends vertically upwardly from the bottom panel when the carton is set up. Disposed along the outer or upper edge of each section 24 are a pair of longitudinally spaced male locking members 25. When the closure sections 20 and 24 are in side wall forming relation, male members 25 are in aligned relation with respect to female members 23.

Each male member 25 is provided with a pair of laterally extending wings 25a which are foldable relative to the center portion 25b and thus permit the male member 25 to be inserted through the opening formed in the corresponding female member 23. Once the member 25 has extended a sufficient amount through member 23, the wings 25a will tend to return to their original position and thus effect interlocking of the members.

Foldably connected to opposite sides of end wall first section 15 are a pair of third side closure sections 26. A similar pair of third side closure sections 26 are foldably connected to the opposite sides of the lower portion of end wall 16, see FIG. 1. Each section 26 is of like construction and in the illustrative embodiment there is provided a recess 27 in the peripheral edge of the section which forms the upper edge of section 26 when the carton is set up.

Foldably connected to opposite sides of the upper portion of end wall panel 16 and also to opposite sides of end wall second section 18 are pairs of fourth side closure sections 28. Sections 28, when folded, partially overlie the upper tapered or neck portions of the end bottles in the rows.

Interrupting the foldiline connections between top panel 17 and the upper segments 21 of the first side closure sections 20, are a plurality of longitudinally spaced bottle neck accommodating apertures 30. The apertures are adapted to encompass the necks 11a of the bottles and thus retain the bottles in proper spaced relation within the folded carton. The portion 30a of each aperture 30 disposed within the upper segment 21 of the side closure section 20 is slightly enlarged so as to permit the cap 12 of the bottle to pass therethrough, when the side closure section 20 is folded to the upright position as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. After the bottles 11 have been properly positioned within the squared tubular member, side closure sections 20 are folded downwardly to the positions shown in FIG. whereupon the upper portions of the bottles are locked in place.

In addition to apertures 30, top, panel 17 is provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced, centrally aligned finger holes 31. The holes 31 enable a customer to readily pick up and carry a loaded carton.

To prevent contact between the lower portions of the accommodated bottles and thus substantially reduce the incidents of breakage during handling of the loaded carton, a plurality of double tabs 32 are formed in the bottom panel 14. Tabs 32 are struck out or pushed up from the panel 14 and extend upwardly therefrom so that a pair of tabs are disposed between adjoining portions of ad jacent bottles. Because of the tabs, a double thickness of material is interposed adjacent bottles and retain the latter in properly spaced relation.

In loading and closing the illustnated carton, the collapsed tubular member as shown in FIG. 2 is first squared up so that the top and bottom panel are disposed in superposed relation and the end walls are substantially perpendicular thereto. The side closure sections 20 are folded so as to assume upright positions as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Simultaneously, side closure sections 24 remain in flat, horizontal positions.

The double tabs 32 are then struck out and assume upright positions whereupon a row of three bottles is simultaneously moved into the carton from each side thereof.

Side closure sections 26 and 28 on each side of the carton are then folded toward each other so as to partially overlie the exterior of certain of the bottles, as seen more clearly in FIG. 4. It will be noted that sections 26 are of such extent that the recesses 27 thereof are aligned with a plane between adjacent bottles of a row.

Side sections 20 are then folded downwardly whereupon upper segments 21 assume divergent relation with respect to the top panel and conform in part to the taper of the upper portions of the bottles. Segments 22 are simultaneously folded so that they assume vertical substantially parallel relation as seen in FIG. 5. The female locking members 23 of segments 22 are disposed in registered relation with respect to recesses 27.

To complete closing of the sides of the carton, closure sections 24 are folded to their upright positions whereupon male locking members 25 are in registration with locking member 23. To effect interlocking of the members 23and 25, external mechanical fingers are actuated which push the member 25 through the registered member 23 and also through the registered recess 27. As the member 25 is being pushed through member 23 and recess 27, the wings 25a thereof are folded backwardly relative to the center portion 25b and simultaneously the weakened connection between the tabs 23a, b and c of each member is ruptured whereupon the member 25 is free to pass therethrough. Once the folded wings 25a of member 25 have cleared recess 27, the wings will spread apart, and attempt to return to their original positions. Once the wings have spread apart, the member is impassable with respect to recess 27 and member 23 unless the wings are folded in the opposite direction. The inherent stiffness of the paperboard tends to retain the wings in their spread formation.

Because of the alignment of the members 23, 25 and recesses 27 with the planes between adjacent bottles of a row, there is adequate clearance to permit insertion of the members 25 through members 23 and recesses 27 and then spreading of wings 25a without interference from the accommodated bottles.

The aforedescribed steps of setting up and closing the carton may be readily accomplished by high speed automatic equipment well known in the packaging field.

Various modifications to the improved carton and blank may be made without departing from the scope of this invention; for example, where the accommodated articles are metal cans or unbreakable bottles, the tabs 32 may be eliminated and further the configuration of the top panel might be substantially the same as the bottom panel. Furthermore, the shape of the apertures 30, and the size and configuration of sections 20, 24, 26 and 28, as well as panels 14, 15, 16 and 17, may vary and in some instances sections 26 and 28 may be eliminated entirely.

Thus, it will be seen that an inexpensive article carrying carton has been provided which may be readily set up with conventional automatic equipment and provides adequate protection for the articles against breakage, and also protects the contents of the articles against harmful light rays. There is a minimum Waste of material in forming the blank and adequate areas are provided for printing or decorative indicia being applied thereto.

While several embodiments of this invention have been described above, further modifications may be made thereto and it is contemplated, therefore, by the appended claims, to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. An article carrying carton formed from a blank of foldable sheet material, comprising a top panel for substantially overlying a plurality of articles arranged in side by side relation; a bottom panel for subtending such articles; end panels interconnecting corresponding peripheral portions of said top and bottom panels and engageable with the outermost of the plurality of such articles; first side closure panels foldably connected to opposite sides of said top panel, each first side closure panel having a downwardly extending segment provided with deformable female locking component; second side closure panels foldably connected to opposite sides of said bottom panel, each second side closure panel extending upwardly from said bottom panel and engageable with the lower side portions of a predetermined number of the accommodated articles, said first and second side closure panels being in partial overlapping relation, each second side closure panel being provided with male locking components having yieldable portions adapted when said closure panels are in partial overlapping relation to be in registered relation and interlock with said female components when a predetermined amount of external force is exerted on said male and female components to cause deforming of said yieldable portions into said female components so as to retain said first and second closure panels in article-retaining wall-forming relation; and third side closure panels foldably connected to and laterally extending from opposite sides of said end panels, said third side closure panels including female components in registered relation with said first mentioned female components and in interlocking engagement with said male components, only when said first, second, and third side closure panels assume predetermined folded positions.

2. A blank of foldable sheet material adapted to be set up to form an article carrying carton wherein the articles are arranged in side by side relation, said blank including a bottom panel for subtending the articles; a first end wall panel foldably connected to one side of said bottom panel; a second end wall panel foldably connected to the opposite side of said bottom panel; a top panel foldably connected to one of said end wall panels for substantially overlying the articles, said first and second end wall panels foldably interconnecting said top and bottom panels when the carton is set up; first side closure sections foldably connected to opposite sides of said top panel, each first side closure section being provided with locking means disposed adjacent the outer edge thereof; second side closure sections foldably connected to opposite sides of said bottom panel, each second side closure section including locking means disposed adjacent the outer edge thereof and operative with the corresponding first side closure section locking means, when said blank is set up, to form a side Wall extending substantially the full height of the set-up carton; and third side closure sections foldably connected to opposite sides of at least one of said end wall panels, said third side closure sections being provided with recesses registrable with said first and second locking means and interlockingly engaged thereby when said first and second side closure sections are folded to form side walls of substantially the full height of the set-up carton.

3. A blank of foldable sheet material adapted to be set up to form an article carrying carton wherein the articles are arranged in side by side relation, said blank including a bottom panel for subtending the articles; a first end wall panel foldably connected to one side of said bottom panel; a second end wall panel foldably connected to the opposite side of said bottom panel; a top panel foldably connected to one of said end wall panels for substantially overlying the articles, said first and second end wall panels foldably interconnecting said top and bottom panels when the carton is set up; [first side closure sections foldably connected to opposite sides of said top panel, each first side closure section being provided with locking means disposed adjacent the outer edge thereof; and second side closure sections foldably connected to opposite sides of said bottom panel, each second side closure section including locking means disposed adjacent the outer edge thereof and operative with the corresponding first side closure section locking means, when said blank is set up, to form a side wall extending substantially the full height of the set-up carton; said top panel being narrower than said bottom panel, and the foldline connections between said top panel and said first side closure sections being interrupted by a plurality of relatively spaced article-accommodating recesses, each recess having one portion thereof disposed in said top panel and a second portion disposed in a first side closure panel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,090,520 5/ 1963 Wuerthner 2201 12 3,168,963 2/ 1965 Wolowicz 220-112 3,176,902 4/ 1965 Champlin 220-1 12 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner. R. PESHOCK, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN ARTICLE CARRYING CARTON FORMED FROM A BLANK OF FOLDABLE SHEET MATERIAL, COMPRISING A TOP PANEL FOR SUBSTANTIALLY OVERLYING A PLURALITY OF ARTICLES ARRANGED IN SIDE BY SIDE RELATION; A BOTTOM PANEL FOR SUBTENDING SUCH ARTICLES; END PANELS INTERCONNECTING CORRESPONDING PERIPHERAL PORTIONS OF SAID TOP AND BOTTOM PANELS AND ENGAGEABLE WITH THE OUTERMOST OF THE PLURALITY OF SUCH ARTICLES; FIRST SIDE CLOSURE PANELS FOLDABLY CONNECTED TO OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID TOP PANEL, EACH FIRST SIDE CLOSURE PANEL HAVING A DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING SEGMENT PROVIDED WITH DEFORMABLE FEMALE LOCKING COMPONENT; SECOND SIDE CLOSURE PANELS FOLDABLY CONNECTED TO OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID BOTTOM PANEL, EACH SECONS SIDE CLOSURE PANEL EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID BOTTOM PANEL AND ENGAGEABLE WITH THE LOWER SIDE PORTIONS OF A PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF THE ACCOMMODATED ARTICLES, SAID FIRST AND SECOND SIDE CLOSURE PANELS BEING IN PARTIAL OVERLAPPING RELATION, EACH SECOND SIDE CLOSURE PANEL BEING PROVIDED WITH MALE LOCKING COMPONENTS HAVING YIELDABLE PORTIONS ADAPTED WHEN SAID CLOSURE PANELS ARE IN PARTIAL OVERLAPPING RELATION TO BE IN REGISTERED RELATION AND INTERLOCK WITH SAID FEMALE COMPONENTS WHEN A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT OF EXTERNAL FORCE IS EXERTED ON SAID MALE AND FEMALE COMPONENTS TO CAUSE DEFORMING OF SAID YIELDABLE PORTIONS INTO SAID FEMALE COMPONENTS SO AS TO RETAIN SAID FIRST AND SECOND CLOSURE PANELS IN ARTICLE-RETAINING WALL-FORMING RELATION; AND THIRD SIDE CLOSURE PANELS FOLDABLY CONNECTED TO AND LATERALLY EXTENDING FROM OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID END PANELS, SAID THIRD SIDE CLOSURE PANELS INCLUDING FEMALE COMPONENTS IN REGISTERED RELATION WITH SAID FIRST MENTIONED FEMALE COMPONENTS AND IN INTERLOCKING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID MALE COMPONENTS, ONLY WHEN SAID FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD SIDE CLOSURE PANELS ASSUME PREDETERMINED FOLDED POSITIONS. 